Collapsible member

Abstract

The invention relates to a structural member which is capable of progressive collapse through and to at least party predetermined forms, and which may optionally incorporate function(s) other than structural member/load absorber. In preferred embodiments the alternative functions are related to safety and protection. Two of the significant features of the invention relate to constructing the member of forms of broadly conical configuration, and that the alternative function shall be that of fire extinguisher.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A collapsible structural member for absorbing loads, comprising a plurality of generally truncated conical members substantially coaxially arranged in end-to-end relation, said structural member having a first predetermined length, at least one of said conical members including means facilitating the splitting of a portion of the conical surface of said at least one conical member upon application thereto of a predetermined, substantially axial load to thereby collapse said structural member to a second predetermined length. 
     
     
       2. A structural member according to claim 1 wherein adjacently situated conical members are arranged with oppositely oriented apices. 
     
     
       3. A structural member according to claim 1 wherein said means facilitating splitting comprises a plurality of peripheral cuts in the conical surfaces of said conical members. 
     
     
       4. A structural member according to claim 1 wherein said structural member comprises a vehicle steering column. 
     
     
       5. A structural member according to claim 4 wherein said conical members are of hollow construction, and are sealingly interconnected to form a fluid reservoir. 
     
     
       6. A structural member according to claim 5 wherein the fluid reservoir of said vehicle steering column is adapted to contain a fire extinguishing fluid whereby, upon splitting of said at least one conical member in repsonse to said predetermined load, the fire extinguishing fluid is distributed to the interior of a passenger compartment of a vehicle provided with said steering column. 
     
     
       7. A structural member according to claim 5 wherein the fluid reservoir of said vehicle steering column is adapted to contain a fire extinguishing fluid and including means for rupturing said fluid reservoir to distribute the fire extinguishing fluid to the interior of a passenger compartment to a vehicle provided with said steering column. 
     
     
       8. A structural member according to claim 7 wherein said rupturing means comprises a spike arranged adjacent one of said conical members and means operatively connected to said spike for selectively urging the same penetratingly into said one conical member. 
     
     
       9. A structural member according to claim 7 wherein said rupturing means comprises plug means arranged in a wall of one of said conical members, said plug means including a material which melts above a predetermined temperature.